How do I clean up files to gain more drive space?

  • Thread starter Thread starter rachel
  • Start date Start date
R

rachel

I bought this laptop from a friend of mine and now I see
why he didn't want it. It doesn't do anything except let
me check my email. I've tried to download updates and
there isn't enough space. I want to clear up the files I
don't need to allow more space for updates and downloads.
Does anyone know what I can clear up so that I can gain
space or does anyone know how to add more space to the
hard drive. I'm pretty computer illiterate so please
explain in "lamen's terms". Thanks for your time and help.
 
Hi Rachel,

Can you give a little more detail? What kind of software came to you with your computer? How
large is the HDD, and how many applications are loaded on it?

Basically you need 15 to 20 gig to run W2K with space for Service Packs, Hotpatches, Archives
available for backups for those, web browser with temp files, email client with folders and
emils archived, and applications, etc. If you don't have more than a 20 gig HDD, you don't
have adequate space to run much of anything except the OS, a browser and email client.


good computing,
don
----------





I bought this laptop from a friend of mine and now I see
why he didn't want it. It doesn't do anything except let
me check my email. I've tried to download updates and
there isn't enough space. I want to clear up the files I
don't need to allow more space for updates and downloads.
Does anyone know what I can clear up so that I can gain
space or does anyone know how to add more space to the
hard drive. I'm pretty computer illiterate so please
explain in "lamen's terms". Thanks for your time and help.
 
I think you have that a bit high 15-20 gig is nice to have but its not that
critical. I have 2 9 gig drives on my workstation. Drive C: has the OS (2g)
Office products Email, Cad veiwers, MRP applications, CDR software and still
has over 3gig available. In my opinion for a laptop 9 gb is more then
enough.
 
If you do one Full Backup on the HDD you double, just with that. For instance, my current Full
backup is above 8gig.


don
-------------




I think you have that a bit high 15-20 gig is nice to have but its not that
critical. I have 2 9 gig drives on my workstation. Drive C: has the OS (2g)
Office products Email, Cad veiwers, MRP applications, CDR software and still
has over 3gig available. In my opinion for a laptop 9 gb is more then
enough.
 
dcdon said:
Hi Rachel,

Can you give a little more detail? What kind of software came to you with your computer? How
large is the HDD, and how many applications are loaded on it?

Basically you need 15 to 20 gig to run W2K with space for Service Packs, Hotpatches, Archives
available for backups for those, web browser with temp files, email client with folders and
emils archived, and applications, etc. If you don't have more than a 20 gig HDD, you don't
have adequate space to run much of anything except the OS, a browser and
Click to expand...
email client.

Hmm, I have Win2000, a s%$#load of programs, including parts of office 2000,
corel draw, fax program, nero, music programs etc etc - 6 gig HD with 2.6
gig spare and operates like a dream. 128 mb ram, most I can ugprade to,
computer is 6 years old.
 
dcdon said:
If you do one Full Backup on the HDD you double, just with that. For instance, my current Full
backup is above 8gig.
Click to expand...

Where is your other backup for when your HD with the backup on it craps
itself?
 
On a 8mm dat...

y e s...

don
----------




dcdon said:
If you do one Full Backup on the HDD you double, just with that. For instance, my current Full
backup is above 8gig.
Click to expand...

Where is your other backup for when your HD with the backup on it craps
itself?
 
"rachel" <
If your laptop just doesn't have much space, how about getting an older
operating system. You can pick up a copy of Win98 SE on Ebay. I ran that on
my 2Gb PC and with Office 97 and the stuff I needed for the Internet. There
wasn't much room to spare - I had to back files onto floppies and couldn't
store many mp3s or photos - I had to avoid big accessories like the latest
Media Player or Real Player - but for a 'working' PC for typing documents
and storing emails, it did the trick nicely (Though I was VERY happy to get
the extra space on this one!)
Evi
 
I bought this laptop <SNIP> I've tried to download updates and there isn't enough
space. I want to clear up the files I don't need to allow more space for updates
and downloads. <SNIP>
Click to expand...

As follows are some ways to free disk space on the local system:

-- Use the built-in Disk Cleanup Utility to create more free space. For more
information search for the following Help topic: Windows 2000 Help: "Removing
unneeded files". And for a detailed description of each task that the Disk Cleanup
Wizard performs see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base Article:

KB253597 - Automating Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=253597

Note 1: Some people posting to the microsoft.public.* newsgroups have reported that
Disk Cleanup's "Compressing Old Files" stage can take overnight, so you may want to
leave Disk Cleanup running that long.

Note 2: Some people post that Disk Cleanup stops responding while compressing old
files. The following Microsoft Knowledge Base Article explains a workaround that, if
implemented, removes the option to Compress Old Files (although written for Windows
XP, the resolution also works for Windows 2000).

KB812248 - Disk Cleanup Tool Stops Responding While Compressing Old Files
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=812248

-- Set the size of the Windows File Protection dllcache quota to 0. NOTE: If WFP
needs to replace a file, you will have to insert the Windows 2000 Professional
installation CD-ROM. For more information see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base
Article:

KB244861 - Increase in Hard Disk Space Usage After Windows 2000 Upgrade
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=KB244861

-- Delete Service Pack Uninstall Folders ($NtServicePackUninstall$) and relocate the
ServicePackFiles folder. NOTE: Only delete the $NtServicePackUninstall$ folders if
you have determined that there is no longer a need to return the system to the
pre-Service Pack state. For more information see the following Microsoft Knowledge
Base Article:

KB290402 - HOW TO Remove the Service Pack Restore Files and Folders in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=290402

-- Delete the driver.cab file located in the %SystemRoot%\Driver Cache\I386 folder.
NOTE: If a driver is required Windows 2000 will prompt you for the Windows 2000
Professional installation CD-ROM. If you are not logged on as a user with
administrative privileges, the driver installation is not successful. For more
information see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base Article:

KB255771 - How to Minimize the Installed Footprint of Windows 2000 Professional
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=255771

-- Remove unneeded optional Windows Components such as such as games, templates.
For more information see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base Article:

KB223182 - Adding Optional Components to Add/Remove Programs Tool
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=223182

-- If Hibernate is enabled (and a C:\hiberfil.sys file exist), disable hibernate
support (which will also delete the hiberfil.sys file). For more
information see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base Article and follow the steps
to "Configure the Computer to Enter Hibernation" except click to clear "Enable
hibernate support":

The C:\hiberfil.sys file has Hidden and System attributes so you may need to
configure Windows Explorer to show Hidden and System files and folders
by using Control Panel | Folder Options | View [tab]: Click to select: "Show hidden
files and folders". Click to clear: "Hide protected operating system files
(Recommended)".

KB308098 - HOW TO: Configure a Computer to Enter Hibernation in Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=308098
 
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